DNREC Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Blotter June 27-July 4Reminder for the week: Mid-season is time for inspection of vessel safety equipment

DOVER (July 6, 2012) – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement agents responded to 111 complaints and issued 63 citations between June 27 and July 4. Incidents of particular note included:

·On July 1, agents arrested Shawn Stimmler, 51, of Schwenksville, Pa., and charged him with operating under the influence (OUI) following an incident at the Cedar Creek Boat Ramp in Slaughter Beach. A July 14 court date is pending in Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover.

Citations issued this week by violation type included the following, with the number of charges in parentheses:

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing in a wildlife area after hours (3), Kent County.

Boating Safety: Operating a vessel under the influence (1), Kent County; no life jackets on children age 12 or younger as required by law (3), New Castle and Sussex counties; insufficient number of life jackets aboard vessel (3), Sussex and New Castle counties; operating a motor vessel without a boating safety certificate (6), New Castle and Sussex counties; boating equipment violations (2), New Castle and Kent counties; exceeding slow no-wake speed (10), Sussex and New Castle counties; owner allowing the use of a non-compliant vessel (1), Sussex County; operating a motor vessel with no sound-producing equipment (1), New Castle County; and operating a motor vessel with expired/invalid registration (3), New Castle and Sussex counties.

Public Safety: Carrying a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (1), Sussex County.

The Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section agents would like to remind boaters to perform a mid-season inspection of their vessels, including safety equipment, motor and trailer. Items to check include: serviceability and number of life jackets on board; expiration dates on flares (only good for three years); registration and boating safety cards kept on board; working navigation lights, sound-producing device on board; trailer tag expiration date; condition of trailer wheel bearings and lights; and fluid levels in engines.

Boaters are also reminded to take care while operating for extended periods in excessive heat, which increases risk of dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn. Children are especially susceptible and should be closely monitored. Excessive heat also enhances the effects of alcohol.

Citizens are encouraged to report fish and wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section by calling 302-739-4580.